Posts Tagged ‘epilepsy’

Haziq’s home later this evening. He’s probably going to be very tired and hungry. I made him one of his favorite food, spicy mince meat and bell peppers wrapped in tortillas topped with cheese. Not typically local at all but Haziq has a preference for Tex-Mex food. For many years of his childhood he had kept to a rigid diet and had been good-tempered and disciplined about it so now I indulge him. In today’s blog I thought of relating Haziq’s experience with epilepsy. His first attack was when he was already 17. Since he developed epilepsy at this late stage he has little chance of outgrowing it. He will probably be on meds for the rest of his life. His last two seizures was while on holiday. Perhaps the stress of being in unfamiliar territory. Once was while walking along Railey beach in Krabi, Thailand. We were walking behind his brother and sister towards the steep limestone cliffs all geared up in their safety harness ready for rock-climbing. He looked up at the cliffs and said “It’s so high”. His voice trembled a little but I didn’t take notice. Next thing Haziq was rolling head over heels in a peculiar slow motion way down the sloping beach. I ran to him and soon had the locals rushing to my side. True to the generous nature of the Thais, they organized a way to get him back to the hotel. You see, this side of Krabi was a little, unspoiled community without any vehicles or roads. They had to get a tractor to transport him – the very same tractor that ploughs into the sea to meet boats halfway and transfer people and baggage to shore. He got to the hotel safely but disoriented and nauseous. He threw up twice and then sank into a deep sleep. Aside from a few bruises he was okay by nightfall. What a way to start a holiday.

The next holiday in Bandung, Indonesia he was, thankfully seated on a bench waiting for our breakfast orders of fresh yoghurt and toast at what was once a cow farm converted to a restaurant. With a short cry of pain he collapsed but we managed to catch him before he hit the ground. The seizure was much more severe though.

His doctor had no choice but to increase the dosage. Sadly the extra dosage of drugs will have an effect on his concentration level and the process of learning will be even more difficult than it already is. Just when you think things can’t get any worse, it does. Life with an autistic child has its share of joys and pain. Life with an epileptic, autistic young adult is going to require huge doses of Faith.

This morning I leave for Lumut, near Pangkor to participate in the Outward Bound School or OBS program.

Did you know it was the first center established outside the United Kingdom, in 1955?. I think this is my 4th trip. Or is it my 5th? I perform better each time cause I know what to expect. Its tough but nowhere as tough as the climb up Mount Kinabalu, Sabah. Yup that’s right, the highest mountain in South-east Asia. We special kids did that climb. Believe it. I’ll tell you all about it next time. Last night Mum checked every single thing I packed. I did well. The most important thing was my meds. I have to take 5 tablets a day. It keeps in check epilepsy attacks especially when I am away from home. Anxiety from unfamiliar surroundings seems to bring it on. Huh tell me about it. I had seizures during two holidays. Once on a beach in Krabi, Thailand and another on a cow farm in Bandung, Indonesia. That itself requires a post of its own. I just forgot a sarong for prayer time, a few toiletries and shorts for shower time. Yeay good job. The first time I was in OBS I created an uproar bathing in the nude. Go figure. Went out to get me flip-flops. I chose one with vertical blue stripes. Mum said I have good taste. Used to be a time when Mum had to chose every single thing for me cos I just wasn’t aware of color or shape. Now I can even ‘feel’ quality. Sensory-wise that’s a huge step.

We got to my old school nice and early. Mum reads me the itinerary. Sounds good, especially the BBQ at the end of the program. Hahaha. The teacher- in-charge tells parents not to worry if the weather gets bad on the night that we are supposed to row over to a little island and camp there. If that happens they will abandon the plan. Mum gives me pocket-money and she leaves me on the bus with the others. She knows I’ll be alright. After all I am the oldest in the group. Hope to be able to put up some photos of my activities there in the next blog. Be back on Friday evening, July 30th. Till then have a look at the photos below. That’s some of the outdoorsy stuff I will be doing. Looks like fun right? Bye now.